Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Yea, I wish. Sorry to get you flustered. Does anyone know a current source of the zoning restrictions in and around richmond? I have some friends who are very seriously considering approaching the possibility of opening a range. Whats your opinion on public indoor range in the West end area? Maybe even near Short Pump. That would cater to a wide range of folks surrounding that area, and access via 295, 64, 288 would be ideal. Im a richmonder and would still be thrilled about a new indoor range. Lend me your thoughts.

I think it would be great but the cost of doing business out there is insane. You'd have to charge exorbitant prices to stay open. Not to mention the cost of insurance would be out of control. Also, the local politics on that side of town would probably freak out. Maybe west of Shortpump; Goochland would be perfect. The have friendly gun laws and taxes probably wouldn't kill you. I'd like to see a PUBLIC outdoor rifle range that was close to central VA though.

12 Months ago I asked at a Pawn shop on Broad St if they have guns. He laughed and said "In Richmond...are you kiddin?"

I would guess that Henrico County would be the same way.

Look up the zoning laws. A gun range would probably need a special use permit that the County will not give them. If Delegate Morrissey of Henrico is any indication they are firmly anti. And that's the nice way to state it.

I know you talking about a range but....
Does anyone even sell guns in Henrico County? I've always gone to the counties north or south to shop. Now, A gun store could possibly fly there although I still wouldn't bet on it. The person to try to ask would be the owner of Innsbrook. He helped the VCDL last year with parking at his shopping center and thus is probably a 'friendly' who also knows the County's politics and zoning. (He may even own the empty convenience store across from his center if your friends wanted to open shop instead.)

Chi804 probably had the best idea. Goochland! Cheaper and likely more friendly.

I researched this extensively over the last 6 months. I even went to the NRA Range Builders conference in Rhode Island for a week as part of my research.

Henrico County won't be a problem but there are some special zoning issues to comply with, but it can be done. You'd be looking at a 2-3 million dollar project to build from the ground up.

from the ground up, sure, but maybe not as much with a renovation project. What kind of insurance costs have you seen?

Ohdoom wrote:from the ground up, sure, but maybe not as much with a renovation project. What kind of insurance costs have you seen?

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chi804 wrote: Also, the local politics on that side of town would probably freak out. .

I disagree. There very well may be a vocal small minority that wouldn't like it, but the vast majority would welcome it.

What's the update on this? How's it going? I think you might see more interest in an outdoor range. That also offers pistol, right now I don't know of a range near me with outdoor pistol.

I wonder how the UA West Tower 10-plex theatre is doing? Between the Regal Cinemas at Short Pump and Movieland in the city, it must be hurting. It would make a great indoor range.

Runcible wrote:I wonder how the UA West Tower 10-plex theatre is doing? Between the Regal Cinemas at Short Pump and Movieland in the city, it must be hurting. It would make a great indoor range.

There is a number of buildings in the West End even better than that! Every time I drive by them, I just dream about what could be.

The theatre is too close to the shopping mall and pedestrians. I would head further North on Cox Rd (Past Nuckols Rd) into the empty office complexes. Next to I-295. You'd have the cars drowning out any sound (heard on the outside) and away from the shopping malls.

I would take it just East of the Virginia Center Commons. Between that mall and Gander Mountain is some land that is perfect. Where I'm talking about is the land behind the closed pizza/gas station. Build into the hill of dirt there. You may even get GM to sponsor you (it would make a great promo for them). Heck, even Green Top is just a few blocks away. Easy access (I-95) yet outside Richmond and I believe that is tecnically Hannover county.

Or build it next to Green Top. What a great relationship that would be?

Greentop is opening their own range this spring. I hear its going to 22K sqf. I also hear some national range is open a 60K sqf private club in the far west in on Broad this spring as well. Anyone heard this?

Concealed45 wrote:Greentop is opening their own range this spring. I hear its going to 22K sqf. I also hear some national range is open a 60K sqf private club in the far west in on Broad this spring as well. Anyone heard this?

The Green Top rumor has been around a while....is that now a go?

as for the west end range, I haven't heard anything about that.

Green Top is a go. They will have a range (and a new building added on (someplace) to the old building. Got this from someone 'in the know' close to the organization. Don't count on it for the spring. Maybe next spring as they need to get the zoning, etc. all in order before it starts. So, it will be built after the permits, etc are in order. I will not release details, but let me tell you that their building something different. No longer a rumor.

chi804 wrote:I think it would be great but the cost of doing business out there is insane. You'd have to charge exorbitant prices to stay open. Not to mention the cost of insurance would be out of control. Also, the local politics on that side of town would probably freak out. Maybe west of Shortpump; Goochland would be perfect. The have friendly gun laws and taxes probably wouldn't kill you. I'd like to see a PUBLIC outdoor rifle range that was close to central VA though.

I'll second that, right over the border into Goochland would keep it cheap but you'd still be right next to a really busy area, can't loose. I promise the gas money I save from driving to Dominion, I'll blow it there IF YOU BUILD IT....I WILL COME!

Heard that they are ready to start construction on the big one in the near west end. Its going into the old Colony House on Broad near Broad and Horsepen. Hear the guy doing it is Court Spots and that the guy from Cavalier is involved as well. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

The GreenTop range is not going to be owned by GreenTop but will be right next to the new store where the trucks were stored just north of the curent store.

It still remains to be seen.

Concealed45 wrote:Heard that they are ready to start construction on the big one in the near west end. Its going into the old Colony House on Broad near Broad and Horsepen. Hear the guy doing it is Court Spots and that the guy from Cavalier is involved as well. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

The GreenTop range is not going to be owned by GreenTop but will be right next to the new store where the trucks were stored just north of the curent store.

It still remains to be seen.

Does it have a name yet? I would get a name and website up ASAP with rough descriptions or even sketches of the future range. Then Facebook groups and events as well as an "official" announcement on here, VAGunTrader(if they have such a section), OCDO(in the VA section), TheHighRoad(in the VA section).

Forgive me if I maintain my "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude. But I hope your right Dominion needs some competition.

I would love one here on the west end. But I am afraid if they build it I will go broke. Driving to Ft. Lee and Colonial Heights is enough of a distraction to keep me from going too often.

Jakeiscrazy wrote:

Concealed45 wrote:Heard that they are ready to start construction on the big one in the near west end. Its going into the old Colony House on Broad near Broad and Horsepen. Hear the guy doing it is Court Spots and that the guy from Cavalier is involved as well. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

The GreenTop range is not going to be owned by GreenTop but will be right next to the new store where the trucks were stored just north of the curent store.

It still remains to be seen.

Does it have a name yet? I would get a name and website up ASAP with rough descriptions or even sketches of the future range. Then Facebook groups and events as well as an "official" announcement on here, VAGunTrader(if they have such a section), OCDO(in the VA section), TheHighRoad(in the VA section).

Forgive me if I maintain my "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude. But I hope your right Dominion needs some competition.

Colonial Shooting Academy


www.colonialshooting.com

I did hear from a few friends who are much more plugged in to the local shooting scene that this range is really going to happen. There was some concern over the guy that's slated to be running it, but the facility itself is a go.

I can hardly believe it, but it looks like it's legit.